Pocket dispenser



June 20, 1967 R. K. KOCH POCKET DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed NOV. 1965 June 20, 1967 R. K. KOCH 3,326,433

POCKET DISPENSER Filed Nov. S, 1965 United States Datent 3,326,433 ROCKET DISPENSER Richard K. Koch, Champaign, Ill., assigner of one-fourth each to A. D. Van Meter, Jr., and Robert B. OXtoby, both of Springfield, Ill.

Filed Nov. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 506,653 2 Claims. (Cl. 224-26) This application is a continuation-in-part application of copending application Ser. No. 451,794, now abandoned, filed Apr. 29, 1965, by Richard K. Koch, entitled, Pocket Dispenser.

This invention relates to dispensers and in particular to pocket-size dispensers which are adapted to hold a supply of tablet-form products, such as medicants and the like, and to dispense them individually.

Numerous types of dispensers are presently available, for a whole host of various shaped and sized products. Each of these dispensers however, is generally unsatisfactory, for one reason or another. For example, the majority of them `are in the form of box-like containers which can be placed in the pocket. With this type of dis penser, the product is usually loosely placed in it so the product is free to be bounced around. 4By the time the last of the product is to be used, it has usually fallen apart so all there is left is a number of pieces. It also generally is found that this type of dispenser is squeezed to open it, and in doing so it is not infrequent that the product is spilled.

It is therefore an `object of this invention to provide a new and improved pocket dispenser.

It is another object to provide a pocket dispenser for holding and individually dispensing a supply of tabletform products, such as medicants and the like.

It is still another object to provide a pocket dispenser which may be clipped to a shirt pocket, like a mechanical pen or pencil is clipped to a shirt pocket, so that it is always conveniently handy.

`It is still another object to provide a pocket dispenser which connes the product, to a degree, so that the product is less likely to be disintegrated before it is to be used.

It is still another object to provide a pocket dispenser which is simple in construction and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It is still another object to provide a pocket dispenser which is easily used to individually dispense the products retained therein.

It is still another object to provide a pocket dispenser which is closed so that dirt and the like is prevented from entering the storage area.

It is still another object to provide a pocket dispenser which is adapted to visually indicate the supply remaining within the dispenser,

It is still another object to provide a pocket dispenser which is adapted to receive and retain the container for a product, so that the container itself may be used for storage and for dispensing the product.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The above mentioned objectives are accomplished with the pocket dispenser of the present invention which generally comprises an elongated rectangular-shaped container which is closed at both ends and which is of a size such as to hold a supply of tablet-form products, such as the medicants Tums, Rolaids, Creamalin, aspirin and the like. At least one side edges of the container is cut away so as to provide an opening substantially the size of one of the tablet form products. Only one of the tablets can therefore be dispensed at a time. A slider having a pocket clip integrally formed therewith is adapted to slide over the outside of the container, and to close the aforesaid opening in the side edge so that dirt and the like cannot get inside the container when the opening is closed. When 3,326,433 Patented June 20, 1967 `the dispenser is clipped to a shirt pocket, `the tablets are vertically aligned, one atop the other, so that they do not bounce around in the container. The container and the slider both may be of a transparent material, so that the supply remaining in the dispenser is readily apparent.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the slider is substantially smaller than the container and is adapted to slida'biy clamp about it. In a second embodiment, the slider is substantially the same size as lthe container and is more of a holder which is adapted to receive and retain the container in it, in a slidable fashion.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature .and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating how the pocket dispenser of the present invention may be clipped to a shirt pocket or the like;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the pocket dispenser of the present invention, with the slider positioned to close the opening in the side wall of the container;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the container and the slider before being assembled, and the container with the slider thereon, in dotted lines; i

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the pocket dispenser;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the slider;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken `along line 6 6 of FIG. 4, illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pocket dispenser eX- emplary of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a rear plan view of the pocket dispenser of FIG. 7, partially broken away;

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the pocket dispenser of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 10-12 are perspective views illustrating alternative constructions of the container portion;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the pocket dispenser of FIG. 10-12; and

FIG. 14 is a partial side plan view of the pocket dispenser of FIG. 13.

Referring now tothe drawings, it can be seen that the pocket dispenser 10 is formed of two component parts, an elongated, rectangular shaped closed container 12 and a slider 14 which is adapted to slide over the outside of the container 12 and which has a pocket clip 16 integrally formed therewith. The container 12 is advantageously formed of a -translucent or transparent material, such as plastic, so that it can be manufactured relatively inexpensively. `Being transparent or translucent, it is readily apparent in locking at the container what supply remains in it.

An opening 18 which substantially corresponds in size with one of the tablet form products 20, which may Ibe medicants such as Tums, Rolaids, Creamalin, aspirin and the like, held therein is formed at one end of a side wall 22 of the container 12. The products are both placed in, and dispensed from, the container 12 through the `opening 18.

The slider 14 has .two side walls 24, the.` ends of which are folded inwardly toward one another so as to form a pair of slots 26 adapted to slidingly receive .the container 12 therein. The slider 14 is preferably fabricated from a resilient material, such as plastic or a light gage metal, and is formed so that it grips the container 12 when the latter is received within the slots 26. The slider 14 will therefore slide on the container 12 but will not accidentally fall oif of it.

The clip 16 is formed as an integral part of the slider 14, by extending and folding the top wall 26 thereof back over itself. The clip 16 is angularly bent at 28 and 29 so that its undersurface engages a wall of the container 12 and its end extends angularly upward so that it can be easily clipped to a shirt pocket or the like.

The slider 14 is made sufficiently large so that when it is assembled on the container 12 it will completely close the opening 18. The end wall 19 of the container 12 has two outwardly projecting stop tabs 21 formed thereon which are sufficiently large to prevent .the slider 14 from sliding off of the end of the container.

To use the pocket dispenser 10, it is filled with a supply of tablet-form products 20, such .as the medicants previously mentioned, by holding the container 12 at a slight angle, with the opening 18 facing upwardly, and slipping the tablets through the opening 18. The slider 14 is then slipped over the container 12 until it engages the stop tabs 21, at which time the opening 18 will be completely closed. Since opening 18 is the only opening in the container 12 and it can be closed with the slider 14, dirt and the like is prevented from getting into the container 12. The importance of this feature is apparent.

The pocket dispenser can be clipped to a shirt pocket 11 (partially shown) and carried in the same fashion as a mechanical pencil or fountain pen, as shown in FIG. 1, by means of the clip 16. It may be noted that when clipped to a pocket in this fashion, the tablets 20 are aligned, one atop the other, so that they are confined, to a degree, and prevented from being bounced around within the container 12. There is less likelihood that .the tablets 20 will be broken up, before they are used.

To dispense one of the tablets 26, the pocket dispenser is held on its side, with the opening 18 facing upwardly, and the slider 14 slipped down the container 12 a sucient distance to permit one of the tablets to fall out through the opening 18 when the pocket dispenser is turned over. It can be seen that the opening 18 can be substantially larger than the size of a tablet 20, and the slider 14 slipped down the container a sufficient distance to permit 'only one of the tablets to be dispensed. The pocket dispenser is therefore adapted to carry and dispense a supply of tablet-form products of various sizes. After dispensing the tablets desired, opening 18 is again closed with the slider 14.

The pocket dispenser can also be formed so as to carry and dispense several types of ta-blet-form products, as shown in FIG. 6, which corresponds to a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4 of the container 12, if the container 12 is formed as hereinafter described. In this case, it can be seen that the container 12 has a center divider which forms two chambers 31 and 32, having openings 34 and 36 therein, respectively. The slider is correspondingly formed, to receive the container in the manner described above. With this arrangement, one or the other of the tablets in the chambers 31 or 32 can be dispensed -by holding a finger over the opposite opening 34 or 36, to prevent the tablets from falling out.

The concept can be expanded even further, by providing additional chambers. For example, three chambers can be provided, the outer two of which having openings on the side edge thereof, as descriebd above, and the inner one having an opening formed in the top wall thereof.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 there is shown a pocket dispenser 40, exemplary of still another embodiment of the invention, formed of two component parts, an elongated, rectangular shaped closed container 42 and a slider or holder 44 which is adapted to slida-bly receive the container 42 in it. A pocket clip 46 is integrally formed with the slider. The container 42 and the slider 44 also may be formed of a transulcent or transparent material, such as plastic, for the reasons set forth above.

The container 42 can have a single opening 48 which substantially corresponds in size with one of the tabletform products 20 held therein, formed at one end of one of its side walls 50. As in the case of the container 12, the products are both placed in, and dispensed from, the container 42 through the opening 48.

Alternatively, the pocket dispenser 40 can be formed so as to carry and dispense several types of tablet-form products, by providing a center divi-der 52 which forms two chambers 53 and 54. An additional opening 56 is provided for the second chamber 54, in this case. With this arrangement, one or the other of the tablets in the chamber 53 or 54 can be dispensed by holding a finger over the opposite opening 48 or 56, to prevent the tablets from falling out.

The slider 44 is constructed in the form of a sleeve which is adapted to receive and retain the container 42 in it and, accordingly, has a front wall 58, a back wall 60, side walls 61 and 62 and a bottom wall 64. The front wall 58 has a substantially V-shaped cut-out 66 formed in it, extending from the sliders open end approximately onehalf the length of the front wall. The cut-out 66 forms a finger slot for sliding the container 42 out of the slider 44. The slider 44 should grip the container 42 when the latter is received within Ait so that the container will not easily or accidentally slip out of it, but should not grip it so tightly that it cannot be easily removed with finger pressure.

The clip 46 is formed as an integral part of the slider 44, by extending and folding the back wall 60 thereof back over itself. The clip 46 is angularly bent at 68 so that its undersurface is urged against the back wall 60 and its end extends angularly upward so that it can be easily and securely clipped to a shirt pocket or the like.

The slider 44 completely closes the opening 48 when the container 42 is all of the way in it, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The bottom wall 64 of the slider prevents the container from sliding through and out of the bottom of the slider. Alternatively, the bottom wall 64 could be eliminated and the container 42 provided with stop tabs, such as the stop tabs 21 provided on the container 12, which would engage the top edge of the back wall 60 or the side Walls 61 and 62 of the slider 44 to prevent the container from sliding through and out of the slider.

The slider 44 can be easily formed as an integral unit, by folding a single sheet of -material along appropriate score lines to form the back, front and side walls. The clip and the bottom can be formed by extending the length of the back wall and folding it to form them. Of course, prior to folding the sheet of material it is preferably cut to provide the cut-out in the front wall and the proper shape for the clip.

To use the pocket dispenser 40, the container 42 is filled with a supply of tablet-form products 20, in the manner described above. It is then slipped into the open end of the slider 44 until it strikes the bottom wall 64, at which time the openings, such as the opening 48, will be cornpletely closed so that dirt and the like is prevented from getti-ng into the container. Again, the importance of this feature is apparent.

The pocket dispenser can be clipped by means of the clip 46 to a shirt pocket and carried in the same fashion as described above, so that the tablets 20 are aligned, one atop the other, and confined, to a degree.

To dispense one of the tablets 20, the pocket dispenser 40 is held on its side, with the opening 48, or 56, facing upwardly, and the container 42 slipped out of the slider 42 a sufficient distance to permit one of the tablets 20 to fall out through the opening when the pocket dispenser is turned over. It can be seen that this can be easily accomplished using only one hand, by placing the thumb in the cut-out 66 and pushing upwardly on the container to slide it out of the slider, as shown in FIG. 7. The opening, or openings, in this case, also can be substantially larger than the size of a tablet 20, and the container slipped out of the holder a sufficient distance to permit only one of the tablets to be dispensed. The pocket dispenser 40, like the dispenser 10, is therefore adapted to carry and dispense a supply of tablet-form products of various sizes. After dispensing the tablets desired, the openings are again closed by sliding the container back into the slider 44.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 there are illustrated two containers 70 and 80 which also may be used with the slider 44. In FIG. 11, the container 70 has two openings 71 and 72 formed in its side walls 73 and 74, respectively, in stag- .gered positions. It can be seen that wit-h this arrangement, the container can be slipped out of the slider only a sufficient distance to permit tablets to be dispensed from the opening 72, while the opening 71 remains closed. There is little danger then, that tablets will spill out ofthe opposite side of the dispenser, when it is used.

In FIG. 12, the container 80 has two tear-out tabs 81 and 82 formed in its side walls 83 and 84, respectively, which are perforated or weakened in some fashion so that they may be easily removed to provide an opening or openings in the container. In this case, the container may be advantageously formed of cardboard or the like so that the tear tabs 81 and 82 can be easily removed. Also, it is contemplated that the tablets can 'be provided by the producer of them packaged within the Icontainer 80 so that Ithe container can be slipped into the slider 44 and it is not necessary to remove and place them in a container, such as the container 42.

In FIGS. 13 and 14 there is shown another pocket dispenser 90 having a container 91 and a slider 0r holder 92. In this case, the container 91 has staggered openings 94 and 95 in its side Walls and the slider 92 has oppositely disposed openings 97 and 98 in its side walls. The openings 94 an-d 95 are positioned so that when the opening 94 in the container is aligned with the opening 97 in the slider, the opening 95 in the container is blocked, and when opening 95 is aligned with the opening 98, the opening 94 is blocked. With this arrangement, tablets can be dispensed from only one or the other of the two openings, at one time, unless, of course, the container is removed too far out of the slider.

From the above description, it is apparent that the co-ntainers 12, 42, 80 and 91 can each be formed of a plastic, cardboard or similar materials and each can be provided with one or more openings for dispensing the product contained therein. If the containers are provided by the produoer of the tablets, a strip of tape can be adhesively sealed over the openings to close them prior to use, if the containers are of plastic or if of cardboard, tear tabs or the like can be preformed therein for easy removal. The containers are then merely slipped linto the appropriate sli-der 14, 44 or 92.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are eiciently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following lclaims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a mater of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that lthe invention has been described, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Leters Patent 1s:

1. A pocket dispenser for carrying a supply of a tabletform product and for individually dispensing them cornprising, in combination: a closed container having at least one chamber formed therein for carrying a supply of tablet-form product-s and an opening formed therein in each of said chambers for dispensing a supply of tabletform products therefrom, a slider adapted to slidably receive lsaid container therein and to close said openings formed in said container, said slider having a front wall and a pair of end walls which are folded inwardly toward one another so as to form a pair of slots for receiving said container therein, a clip integrally formed with said front wall and resiliently bearing against a wall of said container to co-act with the walls of said slider to slidably grip said container to prevent said slider from freely sliding thereon and to assist in securing said dispenser to a shirt pocket or the like.

2. A pocket dispenser for carrying a Supply of a tabletform product and for individually dispensing them comprising, in combination: a closed container having at least one chamber formed therein for carrying a suply of tabletform products and an opening formed therein in each of said -chambers for dispensing a s-upply of tablet-form products therefrom, a slider adapted to slidably receive said container therein and to close said openings formed in said container, said slider having a front wall and end walls which are folded to form a slot for receiving said container therein, a clip integrally formed with said front wall and resiliently bearing against a wall of said container to co-act with the walls of said slider to slidably grip said container to prevent said slider from freely sliding thereon and to assist in securing said dispenser to a shirt pocket or the like.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,377,120 5/ 1945 Apfelbaum 20G-42 2,426,91 1f 9/ 1947 Williamson 206-42 2,443,861 6/ 1948y Johnston. 2,497,455y 2/ 1950 Johnson 206-42 2,702,960 3/ 1955 Weaver 206--42 2,763,956 9/ 1956 Olson 206-42 3,091,378 5/ 1-963 -ODwyer 224-26 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,100,547 2/ 1961 Germany.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner. I. E. OLDS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A POCKET DISPENSER FOR CARRYING A SUPPLY OF A TABLETFROM PRODUCT AND FOR INDIVIDUALLY DISPENSING THEM COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A CLOSED CONTAINER HAVING AT LEAST ONE CHAMBER FORMED THERIN FOR CARRYING A SUPPLY OF TABLET-FORM PRODUCTS AND AN OPENING FORMED THEREIN IN EACH OF SAID CHAMBERS FOR DISPENSING A SUPPLY OF TABLETFORM PRODUCTS THEREFROM, A SLIDER ADAPTED TO SLIDABLY RECEIVE SAID CONTAINER THEREIN AND TO CLOSE SAID OPENINGS FORMED IN SAID CONTAINER, SAID SLIDER HAVING A FRONT WALL AND A PAIR OF END WALLS WHICH ARE FOLDED INWARDLY TOWARD ONE ANOTHER SO AS TO FORM A PAIR OF SLOTS FOR RECEIVING SAID CONTAINER THEREIN, A CLIP INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH SAID FRONT WALL AND RESILIENTLY BEARING AGAINST A WALL OF SAID CONTAINER TO CO-ACT WITH THE WALLS OF SAID SLIDER TO SLIDABLY GRIP SAID CONTAINER TO PREVENT SAID SLIDER FROM FREELY SLIDING THEREON AND TO ASSIST IN SECURING SAID DISPENSER TO A SHIRT POCKET OR THE LIKE. 